Schlage Primus Review: Is It Worth It

When controlling who can duplicate your keys is just as important as controlling who has them, a standard lock and key system may not provide enough protection. Schlage Primus is designed for properties that need greater key control, restricted key duplication, and the ability to build an organized master key system.

At B-SAFE Lock & Key, we work with commercial businesses, property managers, building owners, and other organizations throughout Minneapolis and the Twin Cities that need better control over their keys. Schlage Primus can be an excellent choice when unauthorized key duplication and long-term key management are concerns.

What Makes Schlage Primus Different

One of the primary advantages of Schlage Primus is key control.

With ordinary keys, copies may be relatively easy to obtain. Over time, business owners and property managers can lose track of how many keys exist and who has them.

Primus provides greater control over key duplication while adding additional security features within the cylinder. For businesses with employees, managers, maintenance personnel, vendors, and other authorized users, that additional level of control can be valuable.

B-SAFE Lock & Key can help determine whether Primus makes sense for a single commercial property or as part of a larger master key system.

Who Benefits From a Schlage Primus System

Primus is particularly well suited for commercial buildings, offices, retail businesses, apartment and multifamily properties, warehouses, institutional facilities, and other properties where controlling keys is important.

Consider a commercial building where numerous employees carry keys. An employee leaves the company but doesn't return a key. With an unrestricted key system, the property owner may not know whether additional copies were made.

A restricted key-control system can provide greater accountability and make unauthorized duplication considerably more difficult.

For property managers responsible for multiple doors or buildings, Primus can also be incorporated into a properly designed master key system, allowing different levels of authorized access while maintaining control over key duplication.

Primus vs. a Standard Rekey

Rekeying a standard lock changes which key operates the cylinder, and for many homes and businesses, that's exactly the right solution.

But rekeying alone doesn't necessarily solve the problem of uncontrolled key duplication.

If an organization continually experiences employee turnover or has no reliable way to control duplicate keys, repeatedly rekeying the building can become an ongoing expense.

A Schlage Primus restricted key system addresses the larger issue: controlling how additional keys are obtained and who is authorized to request them.

At B-SAFE Lock & Key, we look at the entire property and how the customer uses their keys before recommending a system. Sometimes a standard rekey is sufficient. Other properties benefit from moving to a restricted or high-security key-control system.

Master Key Systems and Primus

One of the strengths of Primus is its ability to work within professionally designed master key systems.

A business might need employees to access only certain doors, department managers to access several areas, maintenance personnel to access mechanical or service areas, and ownership to have broader access throughout the property.

A properly designed master key system can accomplish this without requiring everyone to carry a large ring of unrelated keys.

B-SAFE Lock & Key designs professional commercial master key systems based on how the property actually operates. When additional key control is required, Schlage Primus can become part of that overall security strategy.

Important Installation Considerations

Installing high-security or restricted cylinders involves more than simply changing the key.

Existing door hardware, cylinder type, keyway, master key requirements, number of users, future expansion, and the customer's security goals should all be considered.

A system that works well for a small office may not be appropriate for a large commercial property with dozens of doors and multiple access levels.

That's why B-SAFE Lock & Key evaluates the existing hardware and intended use before recommending a restricted key system.

Planning the system correctly from the beginning can make future expansion, employee changes, and key management considerably easier.

The Trade-Offs to Consider

Schlage Primus isn't necessary for every property.

Restricted and high-security key systems generally cost more than ordinary cylinders and keys. Replacement and duplicate keys also need to be obtained through authorized channels rather than simply being copied anywhere.

For many commercial customers, however, that's precisely the point.

The additional control makes it more difficult for unauthorized copies to circulate without management knowing about them.

A small property with only a few trusted key holders may be perfectly well served by quality conventional hardware. A business with dozens of employees, frequent personnel changes, sensitive areas, or a large master key system may benefit considerably more from restricted key control.

Is Schlage Primus Worth It

For the right application, yes.

Schlage Primus makes the most sense when controlling key duplication is an important part of the property's overall security plan.

Businesses and property managers should consider not only what a cylinder costs today, but also what happens over the next several years as employees change, keys are lost, additional doors are added, and access requirements evolve.

A properly planned system can provide better control and make future key management easier.

Other Restricted and High-Security Key Systems

Schlage Primus isn't the only option available.

In addition to Schlage Primus, B-SAFE Lock & Key works with other restricted and high-security key systems, including ASSA, Schlage Everest, and Medeco. We can help businesses, property managers, and commercial property owners choose the right key-control system for their security needs.

The right system depends on the property, existing hardware, number of users, master key requirements, and the level of key control needed.

B-SAFE Lock & Key

If you're considering Schlage Primus, ASSA, Schlage Everest, Medeco, or another restricted or high-security key-control system, B-SAFE Lock & Key can evaluate your existing locks and help determine the right solution for your property.

We provide professional master key system design, restricted key systems, high-security cylinders, commercial rekeying, lock installation, and key-control solutions for businesses and property owners throughout Minneapolis and the Twin Cities.

B-SAFE Lock & Key

4757 Lyndale Ave N

Minneapolis, MN 55430

Phone: 763-900-8119

Email: service@bsafelock.com

Website: bsafelock.com

Areas We Service

Minneapolis • Columbia Heights • Fridley • New Brighton • Roseville • Golden Valley • St. Louis Park • and surrounding Twin Cities communities